Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020:
Texas DPS opens new truck inspection facility
The Texas Department of Public Safety opened a new truck inspection facility in Seguin along I-10, east of San Antonio.
The facility is located on I-10 East at mile marker 620 east of Seguin and includes a number of features to expedite inspections. There is a four-lane wide awning for trucks to pull under, allowing trucks that pass the initial screening to continue on their way while trucks with potential violations are pulled over for additional safety checks.
It also features $1 million in technology that helps detect in real time if a commercial vehicle is following the law, including a weigh-in-motion sensor and an over-height detector, as well as hazardous materials placard and carrier identification sensors. The sensors are connected to a computer database that identify credentialing, violation history and if the vehicle is under a federal out-of-service order. A thermal imaging array examines a truck’s wheels and brakes for abnormalities, such as defective brakes.
A 90-foot platform scale — the only one like it in the state — also allows inspection officials to weigh an entire truck at once.
Maverick announces new bonuses, increases another
North Little Rock, Arkansas-based Maverick Transportation (No. 79 on the CCJ Top 250) announced new $3,000 and $5,000 sign-on bonuses for experienced glass and flatbed hires and an increase to its internal driver referral bonus program.
Through Dec. 31, drivers with six or more months of recent verifiable flatbed and/or glass OTR experience can earn a sign-on bonus of $3,000 (flatbed) or $5,000 (glass).
Maverick also increased its internal driver referral bonus program. Employees are paid a bonus for referred drivers ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 through the end of the year.
